Teen pleads not guilty in fatal stabbing

An 18-year-old man died in the Saturday night altercation in Escondido

VISTA  A teenager accused of fatally stabbing an 18-year-old man after a street fight early Saturday morning in Escondido pleaded not guilty Tuesday to murder and other charges.

Jose Luis Garcia Jr., 17, was arraigned in connection with the death of Martin Melendez-Ramos of Escondido. In addition to murder, Garcia faces two counts of assault by means likely to produce great bodily injury involving Melendez-Ramos and a second 18-year-old victim.

Although a juvenile, Garcia is being named because he has been charged as an adult.

Vista Superior Court Judge Marshall Hockett set bail at $1 million, calling the teen “a danger to this community.” If convicted of the charges, Garcia faces a possible sentence of 27 years to life in prison.

His lawyer, Deputy Public Defender Sherry Stone, stressed in court that her client has no previous criminal history.

Authorities said the fight occurred around midnight on Norway Court near East Park Avenue.

Deputy District Attorney Cal Logan said Garcia issued a gang challenge toward a group of teens by asking, “Where are you from?” At least one responded by telling Garcia, “Hey, you know me,” and saying he was from the area.

Garcia had been drinking, the prosecutor said, and the altercation escalated into a fight.

Logan said the fight was starting to break up when Garcia pulled a knife from his waistband and stabbed Melendez-Ramos twice in the chest, puncturing his heart.

The youths were gone by the time police arrived.

Melendez-Ramos had been taken to an apartment on East Washington Avenue, then was transported to an area hospital. He died around 2 a.m.

Several members of his family, including his mother and brother, were in court for the arraignment. They declined to speak to reporters.

Garcia’s parents were also in court and listened to the brief hearing with the assistance of a Spanish-speaking interpreter.

Logan said outside the courtroom that investigators are still investigating the case. He said Garcia is not a documented gang member and there is no evidence the victims were involved in gang activity.

Officers detained Garcia and his girlfriend on Mission Avenue about 12:25 a.m. Saturday for a possible curfew violation, and later questioned the couple about the fight, police said. Garcia was taken to a hospital for treatment of bruises suffered in the fight and later booked into Juvenile Hall on suspicion of murder.